[UPDATE: Jobs with Justice is reporting that management has shut down the bakery. Workers are asking allies to come to the plant immediately. Visit www.stelladorostrike.com for breaking details.]
The Stella D’oro workers continued their efforts to save their jobs with a rally held today at City Hall. Close to 100 workers, supporters, union leaders and elected officials showed up to demand that the bakery remain in the Bronx, with the jobs of the current employees.
WFP Executive Director Dan Cantor was asked to say a few words at the rally. Councilmember Tony Avella and Bronx Assemblyman Jose Rivera also spoke, along with current Stella D’oro employees and leaders of union locals.
To recap: Stella D’oro used to be a family run business, but was sold in 2006 to a private equity firm, Brynwood Partners. Brynwood received more than $400,000 in tax breaks to modernize the bakery and stay in the Bronx. During negotiations with the union, Brynwood bargained in bad faith while asking the workers to take a steep pay cut. This led to an 11 month strike, which ended in a court ruling that found for the workers. Instead of resuming work, Brynwood announced that it was selling the bakery to Lance, Inc. which would relocate the bakery to Ohio, costing all the workers their jobs.
Stella D’oro workers are in the fight of their lives. All New Yorkers should be concerned about a system that delivers taxpayer money to private business to help save jobs, only to watch them turn around and ship those jobs elsewhere.
Tomorrow, Friday October 9th, Stella D’oro workers and allies will be demonstrating at the entrance to plant at 237th St. and Broadway. For more details visit www.stelladorostrike.com.
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